Nvidia GTX295 Quad SLI

3D Benchmarks

3DMark is a popular synthetic gaming benchmark used by many gamers and overclockers to gauge the performance of their PC's. All 3DMark runs were performed a total of 5 times, with the highest and lowest results being removed and an average calculated from the remaining 3 results.

Results Analysis

3DMark did not really show the effectiveness of the SLI setup as we were clearly CPU limited, especially at low resolutions. 3DMark Vantage showed incredible scaling but consideration has to be made to the the fact that PhysX acceleration was enabled which had a dramatic effect on the results. A massive 33k was attained with 3DMark Vantage, testament to Nvidia's PhysX processing power. Sadly, similar results could not be achieved with it's forbear, 3DMark 06.

Tis a strange set of results. Part of me, the "more power" part, loves that the Quad SLI scales at insane resolutions and allows for the AA and AF to be cranked up whilst still providing enormous frame-rates in everything on the planet.

The "I'm a pauper" part of me is surprised that as a single 295 still provides fully playable frame-rates (over 60fps) in everything so I wonder why anyone would bother paying for another one to Quad it. Even the 30" brigade have no real need to go Quad-SLI.

So I'm in absolute awe of the results, demonstrating that PC hardware has reached a peak we couldn't have possibly forseen a year ago. But I'm still aghast that anyone would even consider going Quad for anything other than bragging rights.

I am in an odd position atm (probably due to being back on the bike today - but I digress). I have just built a new i7 rig and will soon be moving over to WC. However, the 295 I ordered was recalled and it was replaced (with option to swap back) with a 285. After reading up a bit more (I have been out of the OC scene for about 10 years ) I noticed that the 285 can get some insane OC's - especially WC.

As I will be using this rig to power 3*19" monitors in 3840*1024, would I see better results from quad SLI 295's, or triple SLI 285's ?

(I think the P6T deluxe board does triple - not sure about that yet)

Sorry to go on, but has anyone got a guide that shows how to set up WC loops for the CPU, GPU's and RAM? (Totally new to WC in case you hadn't guessed).

I am in an odd position atm (probably due to being back on the bike today - but I digress).

Having a bit of pain in the back end? I know the feeling, used to do 32km/day. Ouchies after a 2 month holiday

Quote:

Originally Posted by name='garethar'

As I will be using this rig to power 3*19" monitors in 3840*1024, would I see better results from quad SLI 295's, or triple SLI 285's ?

I do not think you will need this kind of overkill for such a monitor setup to be honest. You probably will only be playing a game on one monitor (?), so the real graphics performance is just on a third of the screen surface. I'd say dual 285 would be more than sufficient.

Personally I'm running 22+24" on a HD4850 which copes perfectly. Yes I have to turn AA down in most games, but apart from that I can max nearly everything out at 1920x1200.

EDIT: and make sure to post some pics of that setup when you reach 15 posts

Having a bit of pain in the back end? I know the feeling, used to do 32km/day. Ouchies after a 2 month holiday

I do not think you will need this kind of overkill for such a monitor setup to be honest. You probably will only be playing a game on one monitor (?), so the real graphics performance is just on a third of the screen surface. I'd say dual 285 would be more than sufficient.

Personally I'm running 22+24" on a HD4850 which copes perfectly. Yes I have to turn AA down in most games, but apart from that I can max nearly everything out at 1920x1200.

EDIT: and make sure to post some pics of that setup when you reach 15 posts

oops, forgot to mention 1)it's *motor*bike :P (doing 100 miles a day) and 2)I've got TH2GO, so all three screens are in use (hence the resolution of 15:4)

When it's all set up and benchmarked (assuming I don't fry anything) I'll post a full set of pics and reviews for the kit. There isn't much out there when researching the th2go* really, might save someone some time.

*not wrt to 3 nineteen inch monitors with the thinnest bezels possible and the type of mounting kits that are around. The mounting alone cost £210 !!

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